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A Pell Sighting

…and sundry other occurences

Outside of Rome, you don’t run into cardinals all that often, but last Saturday I caught sight of one of the most popular clerics in the Catholic Church: Australia’s Cardinal Pell. The occasion was the Cardinal’s reception into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, which took place in the Little Oratory. His Royal Highness the Duke of Noto presided over the investiture, and if you squint your eyes enough you can make out a profile shot of Young Cusack in the background of the photo of the Duke (below). In addition to the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney’s being made a Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice, six others were invested as members of the Constantinian Order, including His Excellency Don Antonio da Silva Coelho, the Ambassador of the Order of Malta to the Republic of Peru. For more info, see the Order’s notice on the event.

And afterwards, do you know who I happened to run into? No less an exalted being than Cicio Stinkiman, my previous interactions with whom are recounted here and here. Cicio is as friendly (!) as ever, and living the high life in London. He bears several wounds from fights he’s gotten into while romping around in Hyde Park, all of which altercations I’m confident he initiated.

When the day’s official events had concluded, a contingent (including Gerald Warner and the Secret English Bonaparte) escaped to the Cavalry & Guards Club, where various matters were discussed over tea and sandwiches.

Other than that, we haven’t been up to much of interest. Meeting with members of the Zimbabwean opposition, drinking with Austrians, conspiring to set up a boat club, and today commemorating with champagne the birthday of veteran SABC journo and this website’s Editor Emeritus, Mr. Tim Conroy.